Integrating concurrent engineering concepts in a steelwork construction project

The aim of this paper is to present a methodology for integrating Concurrent Engineering (CE) concepts in a steelwork construction project. Differences between construction sector and manufacturing sector are first reviewed through the description of the specificities of the construction sector in terms of organisations and main features projects. The second part presents an integrated product and process model currently developed by the authors (ProMICE project). CE concepts are introduced according to a two axes methodology, a first axis describing the "working method" and a second providing a way of representing "CE knowledge" through the description of CE specificity. This axis also defines a way of "translating" those concepts into the generic representation of the model. One objective of the ProMICE project is to identify changes needed by this transition from the traditional approach towards CE approach. then to represent them, in the domain of steelwork construction.